Hair Loss Treatment

Dermatologica. 1987;175:19

….Minoxidil: possible mechanisms of action.
Headington JT.
The mechanism by which minoxidil, whether given orally or applied topically, stimulates hair regrowth remains undetermined. Possible indirect drug action, such as vasodilatation and increased blood flow to the dermal papilla, or possible local irritation related to minoxidil or to one or more components of the vehicle used for topical application has been suggested. …snip…Shortening and diminution of follicle size is undoubtedly accompanied by shortening of the hair growth cycle (decreased anagen time). Morphometric evaluation of scalp biopsies of patients receiving topical minoxidil in a vehicle composed of propylene glycol, water and ethanol has revealed growth of larger normally formed follicles when compared with pretreatment biopsies from the same individual. There has been no suggestion in any morphologic studies of minoxidil-treated patients for development of new follicles. Because the dermal papilla of the hair follicle apparently controls both regrowth and differentiation of hair matrix cells and because there are not dysplastic or atypical changes in fgerminal epithelium after minoxidil, it is concluded that the most probable site for the action of minoxidil in hair loss is on the cells of the papilla.

edited for hair loss blog use

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 5:55 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.